Page 21 of Demonic Affliction

“Careful, Rhune! Don’t make any sudden movements…”

Willow must not have heard because she's already wriggling free of Rhune's embrace. She slips free before he can tighten his grip and steps into Rufus’s path.

"Willow, no—" Rhune reaches for her, but it’s too late.

She steps within inches of his horns, and every muscle in my body locks up in terror. Gods, no…

Instead of attacking, Rufus lowers his massive head and noses her shoulder gently. It’s nothing like the shove he just gave me. It’s almost… loving.

My brothers and I look at each other, all of us scared to move.

Willow isn’t scared, though. She reaches up and scratches the flat of his forehead, right between his eyes, and even smiles as she does it.

Females are truly terrifying creatures…

Rufus leans into her hand, eyes sliding shut, enjoying every moment of her touch. I've known this bull for as long as I’ve been alive, and he's never once let any of us pet him without trying to take an arm off. But with Willow, he welcomes it. It’s incredible.

“See? He’s not a bad bull. He’s good. Aren’t you, Rufus?" She grins widely.

Rufus moos, and his front legs leave the ground in a show of happiness.

Nyx, Rhune, and I stand off to the side, mouths open. I'm just as stunned as they are, unable to believe what I'm seeing.

She tamed Rufus.

“Unbelievable,” Nyx says. “How did you do that?”

“Do what?” Willow giggles as Rufus licks her cheek, the sound filling the air and wrapping my heart in warmth. “He just wanted some love.”

“No. Rufus wanted blood,” I say. “Until he saw you.”

Rufus gently nudges her backward, and Willow lets out a little squeal as she falls back onto the bed. Sasu, Circe, and Kevin crowd around her, pawing impatiently, trying to get her back into bed.

Willow laughs. “I think they all want to snuggle.”

I watch silently as she crawls to the back of the bed, making room for Rufus to settle in at the foot with the other familiars. He takes up so much space that Sasu ends up curling up on top of his back instead of finding a spot on the furs. Nyx and Rhune climb in next to her, somehow finding room between all the familiars.

The room quiets around me. Rhune has Willow tucked against his side again, and Nyx is already half asleep with one wing draped over both of them protectively.

I stay at the edge of the bed instead of in it. I don’t belong there. Not now. Not yet.

The pot is still behind my back, and my arm has gone stiff from holding it this long. I still don't have the courage to give it to her, and I’m starting to think I never will.

Ironic, considering I pride myself on my unwavering courage. But with Willow, I’m softer. Weaker. I don’t know what to do about it, what to do with these feelings.

Instead of staying and breaking my own heart further, I turn and quietly exit the room, leaving them to their happiness.

I go looking for Cin by scent, the same way I'd track anything else, and it leads me to a room a few doors down. The empty space looks unused.

Cin is crouched in the corner of the room, hiding his face in the shadows. Noox is curled around his throat like a necklace, his iridescent scales catching the faint light pulsing from the exposed root spreading through the walls.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, cautiously approaching. Cin has grown more volatile over the past few cycles, and I never truly know which version of him I’ll encounter. My brother or the monster that lives inside him.

Thankfully, when he faces me, his eyes are clear. “I’ve been… better.” He turns away, closing off his expression. “I had to leave for her safety,” he says. “I don’t… I can’t control it when I’m around her. I’m worried that I’ll snap, and…”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to explain it to me, Cin.” He’s afraid he’ll try to kill her again.

He nods slowly. “I think I’d like to be alone now, if you don’t mind.”